Lighted hoop

Abstract

A toroidally shaped hoop such as a hula hoop or juggling ring has a plurality of independently powered and motion-activated lights spaced around a periphery of the hoop. Rotation of the hoop causes the lights to energize and illuminate.

1. A hoop toy, comprising:
 a hoop body; 
 at least one opening in the hoop body extending from an outer circumference of the body into the interior of the hoop body, said at least one opening having a circumference; 
 a light configured for insertion into the opening, said light comprising a housing, a light source in the housing, an electrical circuit sufficient to provide an electrical connection for the light source, a power source in the housing and a motion-activated switch operable to close the electrical circuit in response to movement of the light, and to open the electrical circuit when movement of the light stops, wherein said light further comprises a spring contained in the housing for maintaining the power source in a first position in which the electrical circuit is open when the hoop is not moving, and when said hoop is moved circumferentially said spring is biased by centripetal force such that the power source closes the electrical circuit to illuminate the light source; and 
 said housing including a tab extending around an outer periphery of the housing, said tab defining a circumference greater than the circumference of the at least one opening, whereby when said housing is inserted into said opening, said tab rests adjacent an inner wall of said hoop body and prevents removal of said light when said hoop is moved circumferentially. 
 
   
   
     2. The hoop toy according to  claim 1  including plural openings in the hoop body spaced apart at regular intervals along the length of the hoop, and plural lights, each of said lights configured for insertion into an opening and each of said lights comprising a light source, a power source, an electrical circuit sufficient to provide an electrical connection for the light source, and a motion-activated switch operable to close the electrical circuit in response to movement of the light, and to open the electrical circuit when movement of the light stops. 
   
   
     3. The hoop toy according to  claim 1  wherein the hoop body further comprises a hollow member. 
   
   
     4. The hoop toy according to  claim 3  wherein each light comprises a housing and the housing includes a lens and a lower housing member, and wherein when the light is inserted into the opening, the lens remains exteriorly of the hoop body. 
   
   
     5. The hoop toy according to  claim 1  including control circuitry in each light for illuminating each light in an on/off flashing manner. 
   
   
     6. The hoop toy according to  claim 1  wherein the light source is a LED. 
   
   
     7. The hoop toy according to  claim 1  including retaining means for holding the light in the opening against centripetal force applied to the light when the hoop body is moved circumferentially. 
   
   
     8. A hoop toy, comprising:
 a torus shaped body having an exterior wall and a hollow interior; 
 plural openings in an outer circumference of the exterior body wall; 
 plural light fixtures, one light fixture received in each opening, each light fixture comprising
 a cylindrical housing having an outer diameter sized to be received in one of the plural openings, said housing further having a outer surface with a peripheral tab formed thereon, the peripheral tab defining a diameter greater than the diameters of the plural openings, wherein when a housing is received into an opening, said peripheral tab is retained in the hollow interior of the body, 
 a power source within the housing, 
 a light source, 
 an electrical circuit sufficient to provide an electrical connection between the power source and the light source, 
 and a switch responsive to movement of the body to close the electrical circuit to energize the light, said switch defined by a first spring in the housing on one side of the power source separating the power source from the switch, and a second spring in the housing on the opposite side of the power source, the first spring being compressible by movement of the body such that the power source makes electrical contact with the switch. 
 
 
   
   
     9. The hoop toy according to  claim 8  wherein each light fixture includes electronic control circuitry so that the light source is energized alternately when the electrical circuit is closed to cause the light source to flash on and off. 
   
   
     10. The hoop toy according to  claim 9  wherein the power source comprises a battery.